The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-15
GLJLLOM'S BILL
Eeatures of the Postal Telegraph
Bill Prepared by Senator
Cullom.
Ioings in Congress Yesterday
Mills in the Speakers
Chair.

WASHINGTON, December 13.-The postal
Telegraph bill, introduced by Senator
Dullom, to-day, establishes the United
Btates postal telegraph as part of the
4. postal system of the United States, and,
Tor the purpose of inaugurating the
system, it provides that the following
Telegraph trunk lines shall first be con-
structed: One from Washington, D. O., to
Portland, Me-, via Baltimore, Philadelphia,
New York and Boston; ons from Wash
ington to Minneapolis, via Pittsburg,
Qleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Paul; one fron IN New York city to Cleveland,
via Albany to Buffalo; one from Pittsburg
TO Topeka, Kansas, Cincinnati, Indianapo-
iis, st. Louis, Kansas City and minor towns
noar large cities; one from Toledo to
Detroit; one from Washington to Calves
ton via Richmond, Atlanta and New
Qrieans; one from Chicago to New Orleans
Yia indianapolis, Louisville, Memphis and
Nioksburg; enc from Chicago to St..
Louis; one from Chicago to San
\Francisco via Omaha and Salt Lake City;
Nne from Cheyenne to Denver. Postal
tNegraph offices are so be opened at all
xl>ces named,and at all intermediate points
(which first, second or third class post
Offices are established. Branch lines, 1t
provides, shall be constructed from time
to lime, as appropriations therefor are
made by congress, intending to connect
the lines with all cities where the postal
free delivery syftem prevails, but no ad
dttiDnal facilities are to be provided in
states already connected with trunk lines,
until postal telegraph offices have been
10 n ha6 in ctnt
NThe system is to be constructed in
eiyAight lines, as near as practicable, but
regard is to be taken of the cities that
viii afford the best telegraph facilities to
the public. The lines are to be con-
strHcted by the engineers corps of the
army, and then transferred to the custody
of the postmaster-general. The poles
are to be of iron, the wires of copper, and
Ell other materials of the best character
eight wires to be strung on the lines
from New York to Chicago and four upon
other lines.
The secretary of war is authorized TO
use the military service lines of the
United States as he deems expedient, and
to make all necessary condemnations of
lines or buildings at fair compensation.
The secretary is further authorized to
ccnstruct, take, and use all machinery and
devices, not including telegraph lines,
whether patented or not, as shall be
deemed necessary. The sums of money
Necessary for this purpose are appropri
Rted by the bill.
"a A rate of 10 nts for each twenty
=-Ssas, and cents for each additional
ten words, is fixed for distances under 500
miles, and an additional rate of 8 cents
for each 200 miles over 500. night
rate of 30 cents, and day rate of rs
cents, is fixed for each 100 words trans
mitted for newspapers, except that where
the same dispatch is dropped off at more
than one Office the rates shall be 25 and
20 cents respectively for each copy.
"A The Office of director-general of tele-
graphs is created as a part of the post
office department.
N 1t is made the duty of the postmaster
general to report to congress after the
passage of the act, plan for the COM
plete organization of the postal telegraph
system with detailed estimates of men
md money needed, before the system is
put into operation and employees selected.
Examinations are to be held by the civil
service commissioners to determine the
illness of applicants. Four million dol
lars is appropriated for the location and
construction of the telegraph lines pro-
Fided for by the act.